Premier League Preview: Fulham - Liverpool

The Reds and the Cottagers face off looking to pick up where they left off before the international break...

Kick-off: Saturday, April 4, 17:30 GMT. Craven Cottage, Hammersmith and Fulham.

Hodgson's Heroes

While most eyes will be keenly observing the visitors when Fulham clash with Liverpool this weekend, there are plenty of reasons to pay close attention the home side as well.

Whereas this time last season the London club seemed doomed for the drop, they now find themselves knocking on the door of Europe. Standing ninth in the Premier League, they are just one point adrift of seventh-placed Wigan Athletic and a berth in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League.

Since taking over partway through last term, Roy Hodgson has fashioned a team capable of playing both dogged and eye-pleasing football to great effect. And what's more, little Craven Cottage has become one of the toughest places to visit in England's top flight, as the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and, most recently, Manchester United have all found out.

However, Fulham's record against Liverpool in recent times is not very encouraging - they have scored just once in their last five meetings. But the hosts - who did manage a draw in the reverse fixture at Anfield - may fancy their chances against a team more obviously affected by the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.

Anxieties, Interruptions & Goals Galore

It would be no surprise if Rafael Benitez turned up for Saturday's match sporting heavily bandaged fingertips; the Spanish tactician will no doubt have been chewing his nails all week long as the majority of his squad fulfilled their international duties.

But of equal annoyance to Benitez will have been the fact the break interrupted his side's best spell of form for the entire season, one which has seen them storm back into the title race after being written off by the end of February.

The Merseysiders' last outing resulted in a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Aston Villa and put them within one point of leaders Manchester United, who they had drubbed 4-1 at Old Trafford the previous weekend. Add in the 4-0 mauling of Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League knockout tie, and you have a side in pretty decent touch.

Pundits and punters worldwide are waiting to see whether Liverpool can recapture their momentum instantly, a task complicated by the number of stars returning from international action. But with first place on offer (although United could snatch it back with a win over Villa on Sunday), there certainly won't be a lack of motivation.

FORM GUIDE

Fulham

Mar 21 Fulham 2-0 Manchester United (Premier League)
Mar 14 Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Fulham (Premier League)
Mar 11 Fulham 1-2 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
Mar 07 Fulham 0-4 Manchester United (FA Cup)
Mar 04 Fulham 0-1 Hull City (Premier League)

Liverpool

Mar 22 Liverpool 5-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Mar 14 Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 10 Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
Mar 03 Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Feb 28 Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Fulham

Hodgson has pretty much a full-strength squad to choose from. Ex-Red Danny Murphy will captain his men from midfield, former Evertonian Andrew Johnson should lead the line, and Brede Hangeland - linked with an Anfield switch in the winter - will start in the heart of defence.

Probable XI: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Johnson, Zamora.

Liverpool

Despite seeing most of his first-team players shoot off to join their national teams, Benitez only has a couple of minor concerns. Yossi Benayoun, having just shrugged off a hamstring problem, took a knock to the calf while representing Israel but seems to have recovered, while Javier Mascherano is expected to start, despite only returning on Friday following Argentina's shock 6-1 loss to Bolivia at high altitude.

Probable XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano/Lucas, Alonso, Gerrard, Kuyt, Riera, Torres.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fulham

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has been in stunning form this term. When you look at some of the match-winning displays the big Australian has turned in, it's no surprise that Fulham boast the fourth best defensive record in the league. The former Middlesbrough man should be kept busy by the most prolific attack in the division.

Liverpool

Speaking of prolific attackers, Fernando Torres will be eager to get back on the scoresheet after two goalless outings for Spain. His record away from home this season is impressive, and he shouldn't be wanting for service with an in-form Steven Gerrard just behind him.

PREDICTION

The Reds are good on the road, the Cottagers are great at home - it's a tough one to call. Both are coming off excellent results and will be desperate to continue on as though the international break never occurred. Despite the visitors' vastly superior firepower, it's hard to ignore the fatigue factor (not to mention 'Rafa's' rotation roulette, which always springs up when you most expect it), so don't be surprised if it ends up level.

Fulham 1-1 Liverpool

Player Ratings: Fulham 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool are back on top of the Premier League after a late winner sank Fulham. Goal.com rates the performers…

FULHAM

Schwarzer: 7.5 – Had little chance with the goal but kept Fulham in the match for a long time with particularly good saves from Dossena and Torres.

Pantsil: 7.0 - Much of Liverpool’s best play emanated from their left and he had a tough game. However, looked increasingly strong as the game progressed and made countless blocks.

Hughes: 7.0 - Torres’ pace caused him all sorts of problems but the fact the striker failed to net will please him.

Hangeland: 7.5 – The big defender marshalled his defence well but will be disappointed to concede so late.

Konchesky: 6.5 – Coped with the threat of Kuyt comfortably. Had two chances with free-kicks but couldn’t produce. However, an awful late clearance almost handed Gerrard a goal.

Dempsey: 6.0 – A good outlet for Fulham and a couple of nice moments but rarely threatened the Liverpool defence in truth.

Murphy: 7.0 - Made countless interceptions and always looked to break and feed his strikers.

Etuhu: 6.5 - A solid midfield display, helped out his defenders well and made a super block late on to deny Skrtel from close range.

Davies: 5.5 – A quiet game from the Welshman who had few opportunities to come forwards.

Zamora: 6.0 – Had a couple of decent opportunities but wasted them with a poor touch and possession.

Johnson: 6.5 - A willing runner but had very little to feed off and rarely caught sight of Reina's goal.

Substitutes

Dacourt: 6.0 - Replaced a tiring Murphy.

Gera: 6.5 - Almost set up Zamora with his first touch and brought some energy to the closing stages.

Nevland: N/a

LIVERPOOL

Reina: 6.0 – Simply wasn’t tested and only had a few routine saves to make.

Arbeloa: 6.5 - Coped well against the occasional threat of Dempsey.

Carragher: 7.0 - Cruised through the game and did little wrong.

Skrtel: 6.0 – Headed onto the bar early on but a few uncomfortable moments in defence. Almost gifted Fulham a real chance at the start of the game and made some poor challenges, particularly on Dempsey late on.

Insua: 7.0 - Only his second Premier League start of the year but a strong showing and particularly impressed with a run and cross which Torres ought to have converted just after the break.

Alonso: 7.0 - Hit the bar after half an hour and although he couldn’t quite find a killer final ball, he kept Liverpool going with his range of passing.

Lucas: 6.5 - In for Mascherano and had a comfortable game.

Kuyt: 5.0 – A very quiet display indeed and offered very little.

Dossena: 7.0 - Surprisingly, handed a starting slot on the left-wing but was one of Liverpool’s brightest attackers. Had two decent efforts in the opening 10 minutes but missed a sitter from close range with a diving header that hit the bar.

Gerrard: 7.5 - Struggled to find space initially but popped up everywhere afterwards. Set up Torres several times and also laid one on a plate for Dossena.

Torres: 6.5 – Had plenty of chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. Unlucky to hit the post after half-an-hour but ought to have scored with a header after a great cross by Insua.

Substitutes

Babel: 6.0 - Handed the last half-an-hour and got involved but didn't make the most of some decent opportunities.

Benayoun: 8.0 – Came on late but made a real impact and popped up with a priceless winner.

Agger: n/a